Ovarian Cysts Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cysts, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

Apoptotic markers indicate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Tan S, Bechmann LP, Benson S, Dietz T, Eichner S, Hahn S, Janssen OE, Lahner H, Gerken G, Mann K, Canbay A

Department of Endocrinology and Division of Laboratory Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism is highly associated with obesity and insulin resistance (IR), two key features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH often leads to cirrhosis, including portal hypertension, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma as long-term complications. The caspase 3-cleaved fragment of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) emerging from ongoing cell death during apoptosis process has been established as a serum marker for NASH. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of NASH in PCOS patients by caspase-cleaved CK18 measurement. METHODS: In 192 PCOS patients [age, 29.0 +/- 6.7 yr; body mass index (BMI), 31.5 +/- 8.2 kg/m(2)] and 73 age-matched controls (age, 28.6 +/- 8.0 yr; BMI, 24.1 +/- 4.6 kg/m(2)), obesity and IR were determined by BMI and area under the curve of insulin response (AUCI), respectively. Apoptotic cell death was measured by M30 ELISA detecting caspase-cleaved CK18 only. RESULTS: M30 levels were significantly elevated in PCOS patients after correction for BMI (304.7 +/- 223.1 vs. 86.3 +/- 165.6 U/liter; P < 0.001). M30 correlated significantly with BMI, AUCI, glucose secretion, low-density lipoprotein, low high-density lipoprotein, and free androgen index. AUCI turned out to be the only independent M30-determining factor in the multiple regression analysis with an effect size of 7.9%. Fifty-one of 186 (27.4%) PCOS patients showed M30 levels of at least 395 U/liter, indicating NASH. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate elevation of apoptotic cell death, its correlation with IR, and a high prevalence of NASH in PCOS patients. Given this high prevalence, PCOS may be a risk factor for progressive hepatic sequelae. Incidence data are of strong interest.

Published 8 January 2010 in J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 95(1): 343-8.
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Articles on Ovarian Cysts published 16 October 2009:

Body fat and insulin resistance independently predict increased serum C-reactive protein in hyperandrogenic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.   Eur J Endocrinol, 161(5): 737-45.

OBJECTIVE: Increased serum C-reactive protein (CRP), an independent predictor of coronary heart disease, was reported in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It remains unclear whether this finding is due to the association between PCOS and either insulin resistance, obesity, or androgen excess, which are all common features of this condition. The aims of this study were to assess whether increased serum CRP is a specific feature of PCOS and to investigate the mechanisms underlying this ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ovarian Cysts published 7 October 2009:

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.   J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 94(10): 3842-8.

CONTEXT: There is an association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids have favorable effects on cardiovascular risk and could reduce liver fat in NAFLD. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on liver fat in PCOS. The secondary aim was to assess their effects on traditional cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a randomized, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

The relationship between maternal and umbilical cord androgen levels and polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence: a prospective cohort study.   J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 94(10): 3714-20.

CONTEXT: The prenatal antecedents of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are not known, but prenatal androgen exposure is thought to contribute. This has not previously been investigated in large prospective studies of normal human pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to establish the prospective relationship between early life androgen exposure and PCOS in adolescence. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective cohort study was conducted in the general community. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ovarian Cysts published 5 October 2009:

Genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor and polycystic ovary syndrome risk.   Fertil Steril, 92(4): 1381-3.

The possible association of vitamin D receptor gene FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) risk, and their influence on insulin resistance and serum levels of insulin in the women with PCOS was examined. The findings of the present study indicate that genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor may affect PCOS development as well as insulin resistance in women with PCOS. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Ovarian control of pituitary sensitivity of luteinizing hormone secretion to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.   Fertil Steril, 92(4): 1378-80.

This study investigated the ovarian control of LH responsiveness to GnRH in anovulatory women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is suggested that the enhanced pituitary sensitivity of LH secretion to GnRH in anovulatory women with PCOS is not due to a reduced production but rather to a defect in the interaction of ovarian factors on the hypothalamic-pituitary system. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Advanced oxidation protein products are increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship with traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.   Fertil Steril, 92(4): 1372-7.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not plasma advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are associated with known cardiovascular risk factors or carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: A prospective, controlled study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Forty-six women with PCOS and 46 age- and body mass index-matched healthy women. INTERVENTION(S): Carotid IMT was evaluated for both common carotid arteries. We measured serum ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

The impact of electrocoagulation on ovarian reserve after laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts: a prospective clinical study of 191 patients.   Fertil Steril, 92(4): 1428-35.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of electrocoagulation on ovarian reserve after laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts and the possible mechanisms. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a university hospital. PATIENT(S): 191 patients with benign ovarian cysts undergoing ovarian cystectomy. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy using bipolar or ultrasonic scalpel electrocoagulation and laparotomic ovarian cystectomy using sutures after the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ovarian Cysts published 21 September 2009:

Association of hypovitaminosis D with metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome.   Eur J Endocrinol, 161(4): 575-82.

OBJECTIVES: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently suffer from metabolic disturbances, in particular from insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Hence, the aim of our study was to investigate the association of 25(OH)D levels and the components of the MS in PCOS women. METHODS: 25(OH)D levels were measured by means of ELISA in 206 women affected by PCOS. Metabolic, endocrine, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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